Brad Treliving is doing a great job.

[Puckstuff]

I loved what Schenn brought last year, but it was a small sample size and he isn't getting any younger and the game isn't slowing down at all. I would have loved Schenn at $1.3 but obviously that wasn't happening.

I like Kampf a lot and he brings what we need as shutdown centre and PK fixture. I would have loved him at $1.8. That may not have happened either. For him to earn that deal we need him to be more than a 4C.

I could see the following making sense.

Nylander Matthews Bertuzzi
Domi Tavares Marner
Knies Kampf Jarnkrok

With Lafferty, Reaves, McMann, Gambrell and Gregor fighting for fourth line minutes. Maybe just Lafferty and Reaves if we go 11-7 to start and get under the cap.

I would also hope that Benoit is a player and our D looks like:

Rielly Liljegren
Brodie Klingberg
Benoit McCabe

With Gio and Timmins coming in. Maybe Liljegren and Rielly can actually play together. Schenn was not a prototypical top pairing guy, neither was Lyubushkin or Holl though. I want Brodie with Klingberg.

I feel like Domi is a better fit with Matthews and Nylander because of his rush game. Bertuzzi would fit well with the cycle game of Tavares and he has a nice shot to finish off those sweet Marner passes.


Domi—Matthews—Nylander
Bertuzzi--Tavares--Marner

Just a ridiculous top 6 either way.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

I think Treveling was left a mess by Dubas who had a total scorched earth approach.

You don't know what that term means.

The Leafs haven't even come remotely close to a scorched earth approach when it comes to trading futures.

They didn't trade Knies,

not only have they not traded Knies but they haven't traded a significant prospect since January 2019 when they traded Durzi and Gurnstrom to get Muzzin, and even then they Kept Lilly who was their best prospect at the time.

They had a 1st round pick in 2023

They have their 1st round pick in 2024.

The 2025 1st is top 10 protected

They have Woll and Knies as contributors to this team, neither of which are 1st rounders by the way.

Hirvonen, Niemla and Cowan are still here.

I'd be all for a true scorched earth approach when it comes trading futures, they are at a point where, EVERY pick and EVERY prospect should be traded If it means getting better and giving them a better shot at a cup.

They haven't gone scorched earth the closest was last year and even then they drafted in the 1st round.

Just because they are missing some 2nd round picks doesn't mean they have gone scorched earth.

 

[kevsh]

they haven't traded a significant prospect since January 2019

Just to be fair Sandin, Robertson & Liljegren are the only other significant prospects they've had since 2019. They traded Sandin and Robertson isn't really on that list anymore, so yes, you are correct in theory: since they haven't traded Liljegren they haven't traded all of their three (Knies being the other).

 

[acrobaticgoalie]

I feel like Domi is a better fit with Matthews and Nylander because of his rush game. Bertuzzi would fit well with the cycle game of Tavares and he has a nice shot to finish off those sweet Marner passes.


Domi—Matthews—Nylander
Bertuzzi--Tavares--Marner

Just a ridiculous top 6 either way.

I'm down with these lines. I think it makes it harder to match up against and that Tavres can benefit more from playing with Marner than Matthews would.

 

[sxvnert]

Likely:

Bertuzzi Matthews Marner
Domi Tavares Nylander

Nylander and Tavares reunited for the millionth time is sickening to think about.

 

[Macallan18]

Don’t disagree with that but I admit I’m biased. Can never have enough players from Thorold.

lol, I guess I have passed Thorold on the way to Niagara on the Lake.

 

[darrylsittler27]

You don't know what that term means.

The Leafs haven't even come remotely close to a scorched earth approach when it comes to trading futures.

They didn't trade Knies,

not only have they not traded Knies but they haven't traded a significant prospect since January 2019 when they traded Durzi and Gurnstrom to get Muzzin, and even then they Kept Lilly who was their best prospect at the time.

They had a 1st round pick in 2023

They have their 1st round pick in 2024.

The 2025 1st is top 10 protected

They have Woll and Knies as contributors to this team, neither of which are 1st rounders by the way.

Hirvonen, Niemla and Cowan are still here.

I'd be all for a true scorched earth approach when it comes trading futures, they are at a point where, EVERY pick and EVERY prospect should be traded If it means getting better and giving them a better shot at a cup.

They haven't gone scorched earth the closest was last year and even then they drafted in the 1st round.

Just because they are missing some 2nd round picks doesn't mean they have gone scorched earth.

They have traded a significant amount of picks and top 10 protected doesnt mean anything. Its gone. I dont like Dubas and said so from the beginning.

They had Boston's 1st

When Dubas got here we were stacked and had many picks. Not to mention all those own rentals. For all that we got one round in 5 years. Its total failure.

 

[PromisedLand]

Respect 4 Tre

 

[kb]

They have traded a significant amount of picks and top 10 protected doesnt mean anything. Its gone. I dont like Dubas and said so from the beginning.


When Dubas got here we were stacked and had many picks. Not to mention all those own rentals. For all that we got one round in 5 years. Its total failure.

Hilarious take. Dubas was left with 3 unsigned RFAs, and a 40 year old 4th liner making over $6 million with a full no movement clause. Along with the previous GM trading second round picks like candy for 4th liners at the end of their usefulness. And no D worthy of note other than Rielly.

But sure, delude yourself to your hearts content!

 

[MilkofthePoppy]

I am hoping the Mark Giordiano experiment ends. I hate to say, but he looks finished.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

I am hoping the Mark Giordiano experiment ends. I hate to say, but he looks finished.

It's pre season

 

[Fogelhund]

I do wonder if the Klingberg signing was a mistake. Time will tell, but I’d rather keep Timmins and Benoit, than Klingberg.

 

[Sypher04]

I do wonder if the Klingberg signing was a mistake. Time will tell, but I’d rather keep Timmins and Benoit, than Klingberg.

It’s possible, but way too early to say. If that’s the case hopefully Treliving fixes it quickly like Dubas did with Ritchie.

Conspiracy theory: what if Tre only signed Klingberg to rebuild his value to be an asset we can trade at the deadline towards a better D lol

 

[francis246]

It's pre season

I think it’s pretty likely Giordano gets the Simmonds treatment this year. Timmins is better than him. I think we gotta stop depending on these old vets. Let the young guys play and actually develop.

Timmins, Liljegren and Klingberg all bring offense from the point. It’s something the leafs have lacked. It shouldn’t be just up to Rielly, having three other guys who can produce offensively should allow Rielly to continue to focus on heavier defensive responsibilities.

I do wonder if the Klingberg signing was a mistake. Time will tell, but I’d rather keep Timmins and Benoit, than Klingberg.

I think Klingberg is going to end up being one of the best signings of the off-season.

 

[Sypher04]

I think it’s pretty likely Giordano gets the Simmonds treatment this year. Timmins is better than him. I think we gotta stop depending on these old vets. Let the young guys play and actually develop.

Timmins, Liljegren and Klingberg all bring offense from the point. It’s something the leafs have lacked. It shouldn’t be just up to Rielly, having three other guys who can produce offensively should allow Rielly to continue to focus on heavier defensive responsibilities.


I think Klingberg is going to end up being one of the best signings of the off-season.

I also think there’s a better chance Klingberg works out here than doesn’t.

 

[francis246]

I also think there’s a better chance Klingberg works out here than doesn’t.

Agreed, I think if McCabe can provide stability then the pairing will work because Klingberg can move the puck. He will make the odd turn over but you live with that. Skilled players will mess up trying to make things happen but if he can be anything close to what he was in Dallas it might be a steal at $4 million. Klingberg also isn’t afraid to rough it up and fight. I forget who it was but I remember a couple years ago he kept fighting the same guy every game they played against each other

 

[TMLAM34]

Agreed, I think if McCabe can provide stability then the pairing will work because Klingberg can move the puck. He will make the odd turn over but you live with that. Skilled players will mess up trying to make things happen but if he can be anything close to what he was in Dallas it might be a steal at $4 million. Klingberg also isn’t afraid to rough it up and fight. I forget who it was but I remember a couple years ago he kept fighting the same guy every game they played against each other

Agreed. Not to mention Klingberg’s size alone has its advantages on the ice with his stick. Guy looked massive out there.

 

[MilkofthePoppy]

It's pre season

He was cooked in the playoffs last year.

 

[Budz]

Could we just waive Klingberg and be freed of that cap hit - if we so chose to?

 

[FerrisRox]

Could we just waive Klingberg and be freed of that cap hit - if we so chose to?

Somebody would have to pick him up off waivers.

How many teams have the room to claim a player making over $4 million?

 

[ACC1224]

Could we just waive Klingberg and be freed of that cap hit - if we so chose to?

They wouldn't have signed him if they weren't going to give him an opportunity to play.

 

[Budz]

They wouldn't have signed him if they weren't going to give him an opportunity to play.

I just bring it up with Timmins playing well and wondering out loud, what are the options available.

 

[ACC1224]

I just bring it up with Timmins playing well and wondering out loud, what are the options available.

I imagine it’s Giordano or Timmins for the last spot

 

[TMLBlueandWhite]

The biggest knock on Treliving so far is the defense.

It wasn't good enough last year. And Treliving's solution was to bring in the worst pair in the league. At best this sounds like it might be a bad idea.

At worst it's face palmingly stupid.

There's a non-zero chance Treliving eats a turd sandwich here. For crying out loud sign one or the other. Not both.

Even worse is that the same problems still exist.

Too many soft players. With too many guys who can't raise their game in the playoffs. Too many fat heads with no jam.

As for all those extra NHL defensemen the team has?

Liljegren, Timmins, Benoit, and Giordano. Someone is gonna get waived. The only question is who it's gonna be.

And if they will clear.

Go Leafs Go.

 

[Nylanderthal]

I just bring it up with Timmins playing well and wondering out loud, what are the options available.

You waive the 40 year old. He threatens to retire if claimed and you carry him around as your 7th and plsy cap gymnastics when you wanna activate him.

The biggest knock on Treliving so far is the defense.

It wasn't good enough last year. And Treliving's solution was to bring in the worst pair in the league. At best this sounds like it might be a bad idea.

At worst it's face palmingly stupid.

There's a non-zero chance Treliving eats a turd sandwich here. For crying out loud sign one or the other. Not both.

Even worse is that the same problems still exist.

Too many soft players. With too many guys who can't raise their game in the playoffs. Too many fat heads with no jam.

As for all those extra NHL defensemen the team has?

Liljegren, Timmins, Benoit, and Giordano. Someone is gonna get waived. The only question is who it's gonna be.

And if they will clear.

Go Leafs Go.

Gio is the easy answer, no?